The best things to do in Greece and the Greek Islands

Do you know that the glowing waters of Greece are dotted with as many as 6,000 islands and inlets? About 227 of them are inhabited, and every of them is full of lovely surroundings, vibrant cultures, and centuries-old historical past.

With a lot to supply, Greece and the Greek Islands often high journey want lists. Assume: historic ruins just like the Acropolis in Athens, miles of sand-swept seashores like Santorini’s well-known Purple Seaside and fresh-from-the-sea fare like grilled octopus and sea bass – multi functional journey.

Among the best methods to see all of it is on a Royal Caribbean cruise; It is island hopping—with out the each day ferry schedules or the packing and unloading of every new location.

Check out the various adventures you may expertise on a cruise to a number of of probably the most well-known websites in Greece:

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens is without doubt one of the oldest cities on the planet and is called the cradle of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization. You may really feel such as you’ve been transported again in time if you discover centuries-old websites just like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and store for souvenirs like handmade pottery in Plaka, town’s oldest neighbourhood; And marvel on the grandeur of the Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens.

Whenever you’re prepared, return to the current with a stroll by the picturesque port of Mikrolimano. It’s a favourite place in Greece for a lot of, the place you may feast on recent seafood in an area tavern overlooking the glowing waters.

The brilliant white partitions, blue shutters, cobblestone streets, and seaside cafés of Mykonos, Greece appeal to vacationers.

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Mykonos

The sunny island of Mykonos, Greece—well-known for its stark white buildings with distinctive blue shutters and doorways—has been cited as one in all Greece’s most engaging locations… though its nightlife and seaside events are additionally well-known.

Vacationers say strolling the charming streets of Mykonos is like strolling right into a fairytale. And that is true; The island’s quaint villages, full of bougainvillea-covered medieval homes, cobblestone paths, picturesque seashores and waterfront cafés, are as beautiful as individuals say. Mykonos is also referred to as the Island of the Winds as a result of it is filled with windmills from the sixteenth century. In case you’re into historical past or mythology, there’s close by Delos to discover, an archaeological website that marks the birthplace of dual gods Apollo and Artemis.

The cliffside villages of Santorini, Greece have been fashioned by a devastating Minoan volcanic eruption round 1600 BC.

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Santorini

There are few sunsets on the planet that rival these discovered on villages like Oia, Pyrgos, Emporio and extra in Santorini, Greece – and for a lot of, that alone makes it a must-see vacation spot. With its golden night gentle and beautiful cliff villages, Santorini is a sight to see, and there is lots to see, just like the well-known Purple Seaside flanked by cliffs of purple and black volcanic rock.

The island’s dramatic geography was formed by a devastating Minoan volcanic eruption in 1600 BC, and is now the right backdrop for a day of crusing and swimming within the clear blue Aegean Sea or exploring the preserved Bronze Age ruins of Akrotiri within the ashes. Enjoyable reality: The ash makes the area preferrred for Assyrtiko, a white Greek grape usually used for candy dry wines like Vinsanto, a dessert wine. It’s also possible to uncover extra about Earth’s volcanic geology by mountaineering round Nea Kameni, an island in the midst of Santorini’s caldera (a big despair fashioned when a volcano erupts and collapses). There, you will notice smoking pits and might take a soak within the scorching springs.

As soon as residence to one of many Seven Wonders of the Historical World, Rhodes in Greece is now recognized for lovely seashores and historic ruins – such because the medieval Previous City, a UNESCO World Heritage Website.

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Rhodes

Rhodes Island, Greece is legendary for being residence to the Colossus – one of many Seven Wonders of the Historical World. The colossus stood as tall because the Statue of Liberty in 280 BC, making it the tallest statue on the planet, earlier than it collapsed throughout an earthquake.

Immediately, you will discover many different sights and experiences in Rhodes, particularly historic adventures. Dive in by strolling by the aptly named Previous City, the place there are medieval partitions, Byzantine church buildings, Roman ruins, synagogues, and historic minarets. There may be additionally the archaeological website of the traditional metropolis of Lindos, an hour’s drive from the traditional metropolis; It’s well-known for its cliff-top Acropolis, which options huge gates from the 4th century. With the longest summer time season in all the Greek islands, you will even have loads of methods to take pleasure in the fantastic thing about Rhodes and its white-sand seashores whereas having fun with native delicacies like stuffed oysters, grilled sea bass and squid.

Corfu, Greece, is among the many most cosmopolitan Mediterranean locations, brimming with tradition and historical past, similar to being the unique website of the Olympic Video games.

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Corfu and Argostoli

Alongside the west coast of Greece, the Ionian Islands are residence to a singular cultural id that features Italian influences, because of the centuries spent underneath Venetian rule.

Among the best methods to unlock this storied previous is to take a strolling meals tour of Corfu, Greece – actually a shifting feast – or stroll by the mountainside villages to discover the island’s beautiful coastal roads and historic forts. On Cephalonia, the biggest of those islands, you will discover Argostoli, a metropolis stuffed with pure and cultural wonders that embody the Koutavos Lagoon Nature Reserve and the hidden Melissani Lagoon, often known as the Cave of the Nymphs in Greek mythology.

There are various adventures to select from if you make a journey to Greece and the Greek Islands with Royal Caribbean. Think about the fun of strolling into the unique website of the traditional Olympic Video games within the small seaside city of Katakolon and having fun with a tasting at Manousakis Vineyard in Chania, Crete.

And there is extra the place that got here from. To take pleasure in island-hopping by Greece on a cruise sooner slightly than later, you can begin planning your trip right here.